McCullum to lead MCC v Afghanistan
Published: 07 April 2017

Afghanistan will play at Lord's for the first time

MCC will play Afghanistan at Lord’s on Tuesday 11 July, with Brendon McCullum confirmed as the Club’s captain for the historic match.

The 50-over fixture will be Afghanistan’s first at the Home of Cricket, and will take place on the pitch being used for the England v South Africa Investec Test match, which is due to conclude on Monday 10 July.

A similar fixture last year saw MCC beaten by Nepal in front of a crowd of nearly 6,000 at Lord’s.

MCC has a long association with cricket in Afghanistan and two of the Associate nation’s star players, Mohammad Nabi and Hamid Hassan, were both part of the MCC Young Cricketers program.

MCC President Matthew Fleming is a driving force behind the Club’s work in Afghanistan and himself travelled to Jalalabad in May 2009 to oversee the first coaching camps held under the MCC Spirit of Cricket banner.

He said: "I am thrilled that we will be welcoming Afghanistan to Lord’s this summer. I have seen first-hand the talent and passion for cricket the nation has, and this fixture can only be a good thing for the ongoing development of Afghan cricket.

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This is a proud moment for the entire nation

"It is the latest landmark on a very exciting journey for Afghan cricket, and MCC will need to field an extremely strong side in order to compete.

"We are delighted therefore that Brendon McCullum will captain MCC, as he will ensure the match is both competitive and exciting, played in the very best spirit.

"The whole Club looks forward to what we know will be a wonderful and historic day."

Shukrullah Atif Mashal, Chairman of Afghanistan Cricket Board, spoke of his pride that an agreement had been made for Afghanistan to play MCC at Lord's.

He said: "The Home of Cricket hosting Afghanistan for the first time is a proud moment, not only for the team but for the entire nation."